Fantini replaces Dyer as resource officer

Fantini is replacing Officer Karli Dyer and taking over as Mason High School’s new School Resource Officer and said he is ready to help students grow.

“I want to try to make a difference in their lives in any way, shape, or form,” Fantini said. “I’m here to help young people go on the right path and make the right decisions.”

Fantini has been with the City of Mason Police Department for 11 years. Tackling multiple roles over the years, Fantini has built experience. Fantini has been a FTO (field training officer), a detective, and a patrol officer. New officers are evaluated by field training officers who teach and then shadow the prospect. In order to become an officer, Fantini said they must be qualified by their FTO.

“Every aspect of being a police officer is measured; how they look, how they dress, if they’re clean, how they’re handling a call, whether they are gathering all the information they need from a person,” Fantini said. “Everything a police officer is from how they talk to people in the community to how they perform pulling a car over is observed.”

Fantini originally traveled to Scotland to play American Football for a league. Fantini pursued a career in law enforcement as his football career came to an end. Compared to the United States, Scotland has unique criminal laws which Fantini said are distinct.

The United States and Scotland are both democracies; however, there are different laws regarding constitutional rights. Scotland does not have a constitution but does have involvement with the European Court of Human Rights. Fantini said with absence of a constitution, Scotland’s human rights are addressed differently through law enforcement.

“We have a right to remain silent; in Scotland, they don’t have that right,” Fantini said. “In this country, if you take the fifth amendment, you can’t be persecuted for that. There they can charge you for not cooperating in the investigation.”

Fantini has valued his experience in Scotland for what it has taught him about appreciation for the Constitution.

“We are fortunate as citizens to have a Constitution. I like knowing that you have rights and that I have rights,” Fantini said. “We take our rights for granted everyday, but when you live in a county where you don’t have one we feel gratitude for what we have.”